Power blackout hits Chile

Santiago - A widespread power blackout has affected between nine million and 16 million people in Chile, forcing thousands in the capital to be evacuated from trains or subway cars.

Energy Minister Rodrigo Alvarez says the cause of the blackout has not been definitively determined but cited "oscillation problems" in two power lines and a failure in a computer system.

The blackout occurred at 20:30 local time on Saturday and affected a 1 300km stretch of this narrow, coast-hugging country. Two hours later, officials said power had been restored to 90% of the capital, Santiago.